Global Tobacco Treaty to Take Effect on February 27th

International Coalition of NGOs Applauds the 57 Countries that have Ratified the WHO FCTC

On February 27, the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the international tobacco treaty
negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization, will
become international law. The FCA applauds the more than 55 countries
that have taken a major step forward against the tobacco epidemic, the
second major cause of death in the world by ratifying this important
treaty. “The treaty is a major step forward in the worldwide battle
against the death and disease caused by tobacco. It provides the basic
tools for countries to enact comprehensive tobacco control legislation
and take on the powerful tobacco industry,” said Mary Asunta, Chair of
the FCA.

The FCA urges countries that have not ratified the treaty to do so
as soon as possible. Ratification and implementation of the treaty are
critical to protecting citizens of the world from the devastating
health and economic impacts of tobacco.

The entry into
force of the FCTC marks a historic moment for global public health.
This groundbreaking, legally binding treaty provides countries basic
tools to protect the health of their citizens from the tobacco
industry’s deceptions and slick marketing. It requires ratifying
nations to adopt policies proven to reduce smoking and save lives such
as a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship, and large, graphic health warning labels that cover at
least 30 percent of cigarette packs. The treaty also provides nations
with a roadmap for enacting strong, science-based policies in other
areas, including protection from secondhand smoke, increased tobacco
taxation and measures to combat cigarette smuggling.

This
first international public health treaty would not have been achievable
without the involvement of civil society. The FCA, an international
coalition of Non Governmental organizations in favor a strong and
efficient FCTC, is proud of the work done by its more than 200
organizations from around the world in support of this important
international health treaty. For a list of members visit the FCA
website http://www.fctc.org/ .

According to the World Health
Organization, tobacco-related illnesses kill an estimated 4.9 million
people per year worldwide. Unless trends are reversed, the worldwide
toll is expected to double in a generation, with 70 percent of those
deaths occurring in developing countries.

Once the FCTC comes
into force, parties will meet periodically to monitor enforcement,
exchange experiences and ideas, and negotiate protocols. Likely
protocols include smuggling and cross-border advertising.

While
the measures in the FCTC represent a minimum set of tobacco control
policies, the treaty explicitly encourages countries to go above and
beyond these measures. Strong action on the part of countries will give
them the opportunity to reduce the human suffering caused by tobacco
and curb runaway costs of tobacco-related health care.

Now
that the FCTC will enter into force, it is crucial that governments
maintain the momentum and implement efficient and life saving tobacco
control legislation. Weak interpretation and poor implementation of the
FCTC’s provisions will not promote public health or save lives.
Countries should aim for tight, maximum protection for the public
rather than settle for the bare minimum.